Chapter 408 Birthday Banquet 3
The little incident involving Prince Yu and his wife quickly passed. Meanwhile, before the banquet began, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess also had to take their young grandson to the Xie family ancestral tablets to pay their respects.
No guests participated in this part of the ceremony, and the two children didn't understand it at all. They were led by adults to complete it. It was simply a ritual to pay respects to the Xie ancestors at the ancestral hall.
Xie Shang, dressed in a noble crown prince's robes, looked dignified and majestic. As the crown prince, this was an extra part of his child's first birthday celebration. Jiang Fenghua, dressed in a noble and extraordinary crown princess's dress, knelt to one side and sincerely worshipped.
Jiang Fenghua was thinking about the Zhu family. Su Xuan had actually found the Zhu family to help him. Zhu Yushi had clearly sided with Xie Shang. Wasn't he afraid that if his help in transporting gunpowder was exposed, it would implicate the entire Zhu clan? The Zhu family was able to side with the Crown Prince. Instead of protecting his own interests, he dared to take such a risk.
Unless Su Xuan made him some promise, or made the Zhu family feel that helping Su Xuan would bring them benefits, judging from Zhu Zhenzhen's various actions after entering the palace, she knew that the Zhu family had always coveted the position of Empress. If she, Jiang Fenghua, were eliminated, Zhu Zhenzhen's position as Empress would be secure.
She felt that Imperial Censor Zhu was a very cautious person and would not give himself away.
But why would Luo Ziqiong easily hear such important information? If Imperial Censor Zhu dared to do it, he would certainly not leave any evidence.
Jiang Fenghua felt that things were not so simple. If she told Xie Shang this news, would Xie Shang believe her?
The Zhu family is Xie Shang's favorite minister, and now is a crucial time for Jiang Jinyan to compete for the position of Minister of Revenue. If she tells Xie Shang these things, will he think she is stirring up trouble and it will backfire?
Forget it, Xie Shang has already decided to give the position of Minister of Revenue to her elder brother. She'll remain silent for now and see what tricks the Zhu family is up to.
Only after the simple sacrificial ceremony was over did Empress Cheng take the two young imperial grandsons away.
The master of ceremonies also withdrew, and Xie Shang helped her up, saying, "Ruan Ruan, let's go."
She glanced at Xie Shang with a shy expression, and said softly, "Does Your Highness still remember this place?"
Strictly speaking, this is where they pledged their love and confessed their feelings to each other. Thinking of this, Jiang Fenghua wanted to roll her eyes. Who would win the heart of a beauty in front of their own ancestral tablets? Probably only Xie Shang would do such a thing.
Xie Shang raised an eyebrow and a playful smile appeared on his lips. At that time, he didn't think too much about it. It was just a coincidence that he was punished by his father. He just felt that this place was relatively quiet. He needed a quiet place to be alone with Jiang Fenghua and then force her to face her feelings.
He said calmly, "The ancestors of the Xie family would be happy for me if they saw that I had found a woman I liked."
Jiang Fenghua smiled slightly, "I hope Your Highness has not dreamt of the Xie family ancestors rebuking Your Highness for the crime of disrespecting them."
Xie Shang was stunned, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I really haven't dreamed about it. Tonight, I'll bring Ruan Ruan over to relive that scene together."
Jiang Fenghua glared at him, lifted her skirt, and walked outside. She dared not come any further. She still held the gods in high esteem and only prayed that they would bless her, Jiang Ruan, so that her life would be smooth sailing.
Xie Shang followed her out, saying, "Ruan Ruan, wait for your husband. Is there anything you haven't given me yet?"
"What does Your Highness need? I'll get it for you."
"When are you going to give me my birthday present?"
Jiang Fenghua blinked, thinking of the numerous birthday gifts that the various concubines had given Xie Shang this morning. She said, "Your Highness, I have already given you your birthday gift!"
Xie Shang couldn't recall giving her anything, but the gifts from the young ladies of the Eastern Palace were varied and unique, but none of them were from Jiang Fenghua. "Ruan Ruan."
As Jiang Fenghua walked, she said, "They really gave it to me. They gave it to me last night."
Xie Shang tried hard to recall. Could she have given herself to him as a gift? She already belonged to him. "That doesn't count."
Jiang Fenghua reminded him, "Last night, Your Highness wore a new nightgown when you took a bath. That was my birthday gift to Your Highness. I sewed it myself, and you praised my craftsmanship. I also wished Your Highness a happy birthday."
Xie Shang then remembered that there seemed to be such a thing, but he hadn't paid much attention, thinking it was just ordinary clothing. In the end, they went to make love, and he said with a smile, "I want Ruan Ruan to make a lotus lantern herself, the kind that looks like a peach, with birthday wishes written all over it..."
"Next year, Your Highness, I'll make a whole bunch next year..."
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At the same time, Empress Cheng also brought Jiang Fenghua's two children to the banquet. Their first appearance in front of everyone caused quite a stir, and everyone gathered around to greet them.
Empress Cheng led Xie Hongyou by the hand and they walked slowly forward. He was in the toddler stage, wearing an exquisite little brocade robe and walking in a very proper manner. His little face was delicate and cute, making him very lovable.
Xie Ziyan couldn't walk yet, so Feng Jingyuan carried her around like a precious jewel. The one-year-old girl looked at the world with her big, curious eyes, which were as bright and captivating as black gemstones. She had thick, curled eyelashes, a delicate nose and mouth, and fair, smooth skin. Everyone was talking about how she would grow up to be a beauty.
The Third Princess and the Fourth Princess also appeared at the banquet with their children. The Fourth Princess sighed, "As royal daughters-in-law and royal grandsons, those born from the Crown Princess's womb are different. Everyone fawns over them as if they want to be praised to the heavens."
The Fourth Princess held her nearly three-year-old daughter in her arms. She thought about how she had already held her daughter's full-month celebration and first birthday party, but compared to the grand occasion today, it was like heaven and earth. She was filled with resentment. Jiang Fenghua was really lucky.
The Third Princess listened quietly, lost in thought. She already had three children, and given their father's lack of favor and his foot ailment, she had little hope.
She managed the entire household of the Third Prince's Mansion, yet she felt most indebted to her three children, never allowing them to enjoy any glory.
This is the difference in status. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Crown Princess's children will change from imperial grandsons to princes, while the Princess's children can only become heirs or strive for fame and fortune. It is truly a case of different fates for the same people.
From the day she married the Third Prince, the Third Princess had resigned herself to her fate. At this moment, she only heard the Fourth Princess complain a few times, and she didn't say a word.
She was neither the best nor the worst off, but the most miserable person was Luo Ziqiong. She had no children and was even divorced. Although the emperor reluctantly granted her the title of county princess, what good was it? She had to sneak into the palace and was bullied without daring to fight back.
At this moment, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, along with the young ladies of the Eastern Palace, also arrived at the table, and inevitably, there was another round of greetings and salutations.
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